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Announcing 2016 Masons of California Award Winners and Special Recognitions

Each day, Masons throughout California are making great strides towards advancing Freemasonry in our state – from engaging their members with cutting-edge communications to perfecting the ritual and dedicating themselves to outreach. During Annual Communication at “Rise and Celebrate: An Evening of Awards and Entertainment,” we’ll recognize those lodges who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment and success in these areas and more throughout the fraternal year. Please join us in congratulating these brothers for their admirable efforts. And, purchase your ticket to celebrate with them during Annual Communication.

Mason of the Year Award and Builder’s Award: Bro. Thomas W. Moberly

Grand Master M. David Perry is pleased to honor Bro. Thomas W. Moberly with two meaningful distinctions: The Mason of the Year Award and the Builder’s Award. Instituted in 1978, the Mason of the Year Award has only been awarded 10 times in its history. Although there are many distinguished brethren in our jurisdiction, this award honors brother Moberly for his heartfelt service to our craft and devotion to his fellow man. Bro. Moberly has been an exceptional example of what it means to be a Mason, a leader, a mentor, and a man. It is also because of these efforts that Bro. Moberly will be honored with a special new distinction envisioned by Grand Master Perry: The Builder’s Award. Like the Mason of the Year Award, the Builder’s Award is awarded to a Mason who has made an extraordinary difference – who has risen to the occasion to build a deep impact on the future of our great fraternity. Nowhere is this initiative demonstrated more clearly than through Bro. Moberly’s devotion to supporting the next generation of our Masonic family. He has truly inspired our youth to rise to help build our great fraternity for years to come.

2016 Joe Jackson Award: San Dimas Lodge No. 428

The Joe Jackson Award recognizes a lodge that demonstrates excellence in outreach to their members and widows. It is awarded annually in recognition of Bro. Joe Jackson, a 60-year Mason and Hiram Award recipient who is celebrated for his exemplification of Masonic relief and brotherly love.

2016 Lodge Communications Awards

The Lodge Communications Awards recognize lodges that are doing an extraordinary job of connecting with their members and the general public through various traditional and innovative communication tools in five categories. Winners are as follows:

• Best Use of Lodge App:

Santa Monica-Palisades Lodge No. 307

Special Recognition for Innovation in Communications: Phoenix Lodge No. 144

• Best Communications Campaign:

California Lodge No. 1

Honorable Mention: Ionic Composite Lodge No. 520

• Best Social Media:

Solomon’s Staircase Lodge No. 357

Honorable Mention: Northern California Research Lodge

• Best Trestleboard:

Montebello-Whittier Lodge No. 323

Honorable Mention: Oak Summit Lodge No. 112

Honorable Mention: South Pasadena Lodge No. 290

Honorable Mention: Solomon’s Staircase Lodge No. 357

• Best Website:

Chico-Leland Stanford Lodge No. 111

Honorable Mention: Peninsula Lodge No. 168

Honorable Mention: Palm Springs Lodge No. 693

2016 Ritual Competition Awards
The 2016 Ritual Competition Awards recognize individuals and lodges who have demonstrated extraordinary performance of the Masonic ritual. This year’s competition focused on the Second Section of the Third Degree for teams and on the Second Section of the Fellow Craft Degree for individuals.

Special Recognition: 100% Officer Giving to the Annual Fund
At each of the following lodges, every single lodge officer has led by example, demonstrating their commitment to Masonic relief by making a personal gift to the Annual Fund.

Special Recognition: Creation and Leadership of LxWeek 2016: John M. Hinck and James E. Banta

This summer, California DeMolay hosted a new annual event, LxWeek 2016, which was designed to improve and expand upon the real-life and practical leadership skills of the young men and women of our youth orders. LxWeek was led by adult leaders who are experts in the fields of leadership, education, civility, membership attraction and retention, dance, art, music and youth order development. All of this was coordinated and hosted by James E. Banta, former assistant grand secretary and executive director of Northern California DeMolay and by John M. Hinck, grand chaplain.

Special Recognition: Completion of All Lodge Management Certification Program Courses in 2016
The following brothers are congratulated for completing all four courses of the Lodge Management Certification Program – Hall Association Management, Lodge Finance, Membership Experience, and Lodge Administration – including successful scores on each final exam.

Special Recognition: Masonic Youth Leadership Scholarship Awards
This new distinction, created by the California Masonic Foundation, recognizes the extraordinary talent and dedication of state and regional leaders of California’s four Masonic youth orders. All recipients have been accepted to or are currently enrolled full-time in a four-year college, are in good academic standing, and have served as a state, jurisdictional, divisional, or league leader in a California Masonic youth order.

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